1st Human Case of Bird Flu in Australia
In March, a child returning from India became Australia’s first human case of H5N1 bird flu, recovering fully from a serious illness. Victoria’s health authorities confirmed no further cases, highlighting the rarity of human transmission. Avian influenza, highly contagious among birds and occasionally affecting humans, spreads through direct contact or contaminated environments. Australia’s response included quarantining nearby farms and culling infected animals. Public health measures emphasize safe consumption of poultry products and enhanced surveillance to detect and contain outbreaks early. H5N1, first identified in 1959, remains highly lethal with significant global control efforts.
